Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02345283 2001-04-26
PRE-GLUED OR,~~TAMENTAL FINGERNAIL ACCESSORY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to the art of ornamental accessories for
fingernails, and, in particular, to an artificial fingernail having a pre-
applied adhesive
layer fixed thereto.
It has been known in the art of adorning the hands to provide ornamental
fingernail accessories made from thin, molded plastic members manufactured
generally in the shape of a fingernail. Typically, the wearer must apply an
amount of
a liquid bonding adhesive to the accessory and/or the natural nail and affix
the
accessory to the nail. Usually the wearer must wipe or trim away any excess
adhesive
and then wait several moments until the adhesive dries to ensure that the
accessory is
secured to the nail. When it is desired to remove the accessory, the wearer
typically
must soak the fingernail with the attached accessory in a solvent for a
sufficient
amount of time to dissolve the adhesive. Such process is difficult, time
consuming
and damaging to the natural fingernail.
An alternative to this process is set forth in U.S. Patent No. 4,745,934 to
Mast
et al. which discloses an adhesive press-on tab system for attaching
artificial
fingernails to the wearer's natural nails. The tabs are essentially double-
sided
adhesive tape with removable liners that are interposed between the artificial
fingernail and the natural fingernail. However, applying the tabs and
fingernail
accessories is still time consuming and cumbersome. Additionally, the stacking
of the
tab and accessory results in a nail that does not look natural and is prone to
being
dislodged.
Attempts have been made to provide an ornamental fingernail accessory
having a pre-applied pressure sensitive adhesive layer with varying degrees of
CA 02345283 2001-04-26
success. For example, U.S. Patent No. 5,415,903 to Hoffinan et al. discloses a
self
adhesive laminate having an adhesive composition made of an acrylate copolymer
requiring acrylic acid and titanium chelate ester. U.S. Patent No. 6,042,679
to Holt et
al. discloses that an acrylic pressure sensitive adhesive known in the art can
be used in
a method for treating damaged fingernails. U.S. Patent No. 5,044,384 to Hokama
et
al. discloses that a pressure-sensitive adhesive known in the art can be used
in a
method for accomplishing a rapid and durable manicure. U.S. Patent No.
4,860,774
to Becker discloses that a commercially available pressure-sensitive adhesive
can be
used in a method for fingernail reinforcement. In addition, several other
patents
generally disclose pre-applying an adhesive to an artificial fingernail.
Some of the problems associated with the artificial fingernails of the prior
art
include weak adhesive strength, damage to the natural nail, short adhesive
shelf life,
non-reusable adhesives, a cosmetically unappealing appearance and time-
consuming
or difficult application. Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide an
ornamental
fingernail accessory that solves these shortcomings of the prior art in a
commercially
efficient manner.
SUMI'VIARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is an ornamental accessory for a fingernail comprising
an overlay having a reusable pressure-sensitive adhesive layer pre-applied to
a bottom
surface thereof for application and bonding to the wearer's natural nail, and
a method
of making the same.
The adhesive formulation is a copolymer of acrylic ester and vinyl acetate.
The pre-applied adhesive is formed from an aqueous acrylic copolymer emulsion
comprising about 35% water and 65% copolymer. Preferably, the bottom surface
of
the overlay to which the adhesive is applied is textured to enhance adhesion
of the
adhesive layer. The adhesive layer exhibits superior peel strength and is
easily
applied to the overlay. The adhesive layer may also include glitter or may be
colored
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for decorative purposes. The overlay is made from a mixture of ABS plastic and
a
polycarbonate and may take the form of a fingernail cover or a fingernail tip.
In a method for forming a pre-glued ornamental fingernail accessory, an
overlay having the shape and size of a natural fingernail is formed and an
aqueous
copolymer emulsion, as described above, is applied to a bottom surface of the
overlay.
The emulsion is allowed to cure whereby a substantial portion of the water in
the
emulsion is evaporated to form a reusable pressure-sensitive adhesive layer
fixed to
the overlay. The pressure-sensitive adhesive layer is reactivated by adding an
aqueous
solution to the cured aqueous copolymer emulsion.
As a result of the present invention, an artificial nail having a pre-applied
adhesive layer is provided which is easily attached to the natural fingernail.
The
significantly improved adhesive layer is reusable so that the wearer can
easily remove
and reattach the artificial nail as desired without damaging or leaving
adhesive on the
natural nail.
For better understanding of the present invention, reference is made to the
following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings,
and its
scope will be pointed out in the appended claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure 1 is a top perspective view of the pre-glued ornamental fingernail
accessory in the form of a fingernail tip formed in accordance with the
present
invention;
Figure 2 is a top perspective view of the pre-glued ornamental fingernail
accessory in the form of a fingernail cover formed in accordance with the
present
invention;
Figure 3 is a bottom perspective view of the overlay of the present invention
in
the form of a fingernail cover showing the textured bottom surface; and
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Figure 4 is a top perspective view of a mold used to form the overlay of the
present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Referring to the drawings, the preferred embodiments of a pre-glued
ornamental fingernail accessory of the present invention are shown. The
accessory 10
generally includes an elongated overlay 11, and a pressure-sensitive adhesive
layer 12
fixed to a bottom surface of the overlay.
The overlay 11, has a top surface 13, a bottom surface 14, a first end (or
proximal end) 1 S, and a second end (or distal end) 16. The first end 15
should be in
the shape and size approximating the shape and size of at least the end of a
fingernail
of a wearer. In the case of a fingernail tip 17, as shown in Figure l, the
first end 15 is
in the shape and size approximating the shape and size of the end of a
fingernail of a
wearer. In the case of a fingernail cover 18, as shown in Figure 2, the first
end 15 is in
approximately the shape and size of a full natural fingernail.
The overlay 11 is generally of uniform thickness but may decrease in thickness
(i.e. taper) at the first end to facilitate attachment and blending with the
natural
fingernail. The overlay 11 is preferably made from a plastic like material
commonly
employed in the manufacture of artificial nails, (i.e., ABS plastic, nylon,
tenite
acetate, vinyl acetate, polycarbonates, etc.) using conventional injection
molding
techniques known in the art. In a preferred embodiment, the overlay 11 is made
from
a mixture of ABS plastic and a polycarbonate, with a greater amount of ABS
plastic
than the polycarbonate. The overlay 11 may be transparent, translucent or
opaque. In
a preferred embodiment, the overlay 11 is transparent so that decorative
additives
included in the adhesive layer 12 may be visible through the overlay.
Referring to Figure 3, preferably, the bottom surface 14 at the first end 15
of
the overlay 11 is formed with a textured or roughened surface 19 to enhance
the
adhesion of the emulsion to the overlay. The textured or roughened surface 19
may
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be provided during the molding process of the overlay or may be provided by an
abrasive technique after forming of the overlay. Figure 4 shows an injection
mold 20
for forming the overlay 11. The mold 20 includes a cavity 21 in the shape,
size and
thickness of the overlay 11. The cavity 21 includes a textured or roughened
surface
22 that is formed during the fabrication process of the mold by conventional
cutting
techniques such as hatching, milling, etching or grinding. Thus, during
molding of
the overlay 11, the textured surface 22 of the mold imparts a textured surface
19 on
the bottom surface 14 of the overlay. Of course, as mentioned above, the
textured
surface 19 may be formed on the overlay 11 after molding by any variety of
abrasive
techniques such as etching, sanding, engraving or grinding. As a result of the
textured
surface 19, the peel strength of the adhesive layer 12 will be greater against
the
overlay 11 than against the natural nail of the wearer thereby preventing the
adhesive
layer from being stripped off the overlay when the overlay is removed from the
natural nail. Therefore, the ornamental accessory 10 may be reused numerous
times.
The adhesive layer 12 is made from an aqueous copolymer emulsion of acrylic
ester and vinyl acetate. Such an emulsion is not hazardous to humans.
Preferably, the
emulsion comprises between 33 - 37 % water and 63 - 67% copolymer and has a
specific gravity of 1.07 and a viscosity of between 10,000 - 14,000 mPa-s. A
suitable
copolymer emulsion of this type is sold under the name POLYSOL PSA SE-6010 by
Sumiko Tec Co. Ltd. of Tokohama, Japan and manufactured by Showa Highpolymer
Co. Ltd. of Tokyo Japan. Decorative additives such as colored glitters or dyes
may be
added to the emulsion to enhance the overall cosmetic appeal of the accessory.
After forming the overlay 11, the aqueous copolymer emulsion is applied to
the bottom surface 14 of the overlay at the first end 15 by brushing or
spraying. The
thickness to be applied is approximately 0.8mm to l.Omm. Once the emulsion is
applied to the overlay 11, it is heated in a heating tunnel at 30 -
40°C for about l~
minutes. The emulsion is then allowed to dry in a clean environment at room
temperature and constant humidity for about 72 hours whereby a substantial
portion of
water in the emulsion evaporates and the emulsion becomes transparent. This
curing
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process can be accelerated by adding an additional heating step at 60 -
90°C for about
15 minutes after the initial heating step. The subsequent drying time can then
be
reduced to approximately 5 hours. With both processes, the result is a tacky
semi-
solid pressure-sensitive adhesive layer 12 fixed to the bottom surface of the
overlay
11. The adhesive layer 12 of the present invention has a shelf life of about 1
-1 %z
years, however, should the layer begin to lose its adhesiveness, an aqueous
solution
can be reapplied to the layer to reactivate it.
Upon applying the tip, the first end 15 of the overlay 11 is placed on top of
the
wearer's fingernail and pressed in place. The top surface 13 of the overlay 11
may
then be filed or buffed and clear nail polish may be applied. When the wearer
wishes
to remove the overlay, it is simply lifted off the natural nail. Since the
bonding
strength of the adhesive layer 12 is greater against the overlay 11 than it is
against the
natural nail, the adhesive layer stays with the overlay leaving no adhesive
residue on
the nail. Thus, the fingernail accessory of the present invention may be
stored and
reused when desired.
Examples
Tests of the adhesive layer 12 formed in accordance with the present invention
reveal superior strength and durability. Table 1 summarizes the mechanical
properties
of the adhesive layer based on various tests. All tests were performed
according to the
testing methods according to JIS Z 0237. The peel strength test is performed
by
applying 23 - 27 g/m' of the emulsion on a test specimen, heating it at
110° for 60
seconds and allowing it to dry at room temperature for at least 24 hours. Test
specimens of different materials (as shown in the table) are then stuck
together at 20°
C and 65% relative humidity and tested after 20 minutes and 24 hours at a peel
speed
of 300 mm/min. Ball tack was measured at 20° C and 65% relative
humidity and
holding power was measured 20 minutes after application at 20°C and 65%
relative
humidity.
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TABLE 1
SOp. High
PET Grade
Paper
(S Sg/mz)
Time after sticking 20 min. 24 hours20 min. 24 hours
180 degree Peel SUS 304 4.12 6.08 7.76 Paper break
Strength
(N/cm) LDPE _1.45 1.92 5.57 5.80
-
PP 2.63 6.57
(zipping)
Glass 3.29 6.98
ABS 4.94 7.57
Hard PVC 3.68 7.72
Ball Tack (Ball 5 6
No.)
Holding Power (min.)20C >1440 >1440
40C > 144() > 1400
As can be seen from the above test results, the adhesive layer formed in
accordance with the present invention provides significantly improved
adhesiveness
S and superior strength, durability and holding power. The adhesiveness does
not
diminish even after prolonged use. Instead, the adhesiveness is maintained
allowing
for multiple reuses.
While there has been described what is presently believed to be the preferred
embodiments of the invention, those skilled in the art will realize that
various changes
and modifications may be made to the invention without departing from the
spirit of
the invention, and it is intended to claim all such changes and modifications
as fall
within the scope of the invention.
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